Chapter 184: Merchant’s foreign trade list

Late at night, Shen Yiyuan returned home with a strong smell of alcohol. His wife, Madame He, approached and sniffed, frowning, “Did you go to the Qingyan Tower again?”

“Yes, today I was invited by the Three kings. Didn’t I send someone to inform you?” Shen Yiyuan took off his coat, tiredly explaining.

Madame He snorted and looked worried, saying, “Since you came to the capital, how many days have you not been to the Qingyan Tower? If you fancy one of those charming women, just say it. We can divorce, and it won’t delay you from marrying with proper ceremony.”

“Run niang, what are you saying? Am I that kind of person?” Shen Yiyuan stood up as he heard Madame He’s words and walked over.

Madam He stepped back, avoiding Shen Yiyuan, and said coldly, “A body full of seductive fragrance, tell me, what kind of person are you?”

“I really went to meet the Three Kings. Run Niang, you don’t know. Now the court is lifting the sea ban. Today I was lucky enough to lease two sea ships. Tomorrow I will call Xiu De, Xiu Zhi, and Manager Wu, and you too, Wife. We will go to purchase goods and prepare for the voyage,” Shen Yiyuan explained hurriedly.

“Now resorting to lies to deceive me?” Madame He looked at Shen Yiyuan with teary eyes and said, “Emperor Taizu’s decree prohibits going to sea. Are you deceiving me, thinking I am ignorant?”

Shen Yiyuan sighed and closed the door, turning to look at Madame He, saying gently, “Run Niang, fifteen years ago, it was you and Old Master who gave me food, saved my life. Old Master valued me and betrothed you to me. I, Shen Yiyuan, once swore to the heavens that in this life, other than Run Niang, I will not look at anyone else.”

“Although the business has grown bigger in recent years, and Old Master has entrusted everything to me, I have never let you down. Even when traveling north and south, bustling about, there have only been a few servants by my side. When have you seen me with maidservants?”

“I go to Qingyan Tower because there is no other way. Merchants are there, the Kings are there, business discussions are there, and the bonds of friendship are formed there. If I don’t go, the business won’t succeed. In the future, who will support the Shen family and the He family? Run Niang, if I betray you, wouldn’t I be breaking my oath? How could I conduct business worldwide?”

After hearing this, Madame He’s gloominess gradually dissipated. She wiped her eyes with her sleeve, saying, “I understand. Rest for a while; I will prepare hot water.”

Shen Yiyuan grabbed Madame He’s hand, pulled her into his embrace, and looked at her tearful eyes, saying softly, “Other than Wife, who dares to speak to their own husband like this? The books about the Three Obediences and Four Virtues seem to have been in vain.”

“So what? This is what you owe me.”

Run Niang said stubbornly.

Shen Yiyuan’s lips curved into a smile as he looked at the woman in front of him, his eyes filled with affection.

Yes, he owed her.

In the thirteenth year of Hongwu, the Hu Weiyong case began. Over the next twelve years, more than thirty thousand people were killed. His father, an official, was among those executed. Later, his mother died of depression, his sister sold herself to a brothel, his brother starved to death, and he ended up begging for a living until he collapsed from hunger in Wuyuan.

If it weren’t for Run Niang finding him and the kind-hearted Master He taking him in, where would he be today?

The women at Qingyan Tower?

Forget it.

Master He taught him:

A person can only achieve great things if they understand restraint and maintain their true nature.

What Shen Yiyuan wanted to become was the greatest merchant in Ming!

On the next morning, Shen Yiyuan, accompanied by his wife Madam, son Xiu De, Xiu Zhi, and the old Manager Wu Hui, left through the Jiangdong Gate. This was a gathering place for merchants, and if you wanted to purchase a large quantity of goods, it was the best place.

“Father, is it true that the court allows international trade now?”

Although only thirteen or fourteen years old, Shen Xiude already had a scholarly demeanor. In his actions, he naturally carried an air of Scholar.

Shen Yiyuan shook his head, looking at Shen Xiude, and said, “It’s still uncertain. This trip south for trade is not based on any imperial decree, and there is no news of the court planning to restore the Maritime Trade Office. Until the situation becomes clear, there are still variables.”

Shen Xiude thought for a moment and asked, “Father, do you mean that this trip south could be the beginning of a series of trades, or it could be just a one-time thing?”

Shen Yiyuan placed his hand on Shen Xiude’s head. He liked this precocious child very much and said, “Exactly, unless we can earn a lot of money this time and prove that international trade is profitable.”

Shen Xiude lowered his head to contemplate his father’s words. The shopkeeper Wu Hui stopped and asked, “Master Shen, what goods should we purchase for this trip south?”

Shen Yiyuan took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it to Manager Wu, saying, “Purchase according to the items listed here.”

Manager Wu unfolded it, and couldn’t help but be stunned. After carefully reading it, he said, “Isn’t this inappropriate?”

“What’s inappropriate?”

Shen Yiyuan asked in return.

Wu Hui pointed to the purchase list and said, “Buying six thousand pieces of ceramics, isn’t that too much? Why purchase a large quantity of kitchen knives and other cutlery? And why these five hundred pieces of silk?”

The Shen family was known for selling silk, so it seemed absurd for a silk merchant to buy silk. The Shen family had plenty of silk in the storeroom in the capital, and taking out five hundred pieces wouldn’t affect the normal operation of the shop.

Shen Yiyuan confidently explained, “People in the South Seas region appreciate ceramics and silk. This is well-documented from the previous dynasty. We need to purchase a large quantity of ceramics, and then we can use them to exchange for gemstones.”

“Gemstones?”

Madam He’s eyes lit up.

“As for kitchen knives and other utensils, they are goods as well. In those South Seas regions where there’s not much iron ore and the climate is humid, iron items need to be replaced. We can exchange them for fifty pounds of spices.”

“Fifty pounds of spices?”

Madam He widened her eyes, feeling as if this was outright robbery. No, even robbery wouldn’t fetch such a price…

“As for why we, who already have silk, need to buy more silk, it’s because our silk is of high quality, and people in the capital can distinguish its quality. However, people in South Seas only recognize silk; they wouldn’t know the difference. Lower-quality silk is sufficient. In my opinion, exchanging one foot of silk for fifty pounds of cardamom is a good deal…”

Shen Yiyuan spoke confidently.

Madam He felt a bit dizzy. Could the South Seas region be so prosperous?

“Go ahead, make purchases according to the list, and have them delivered to the East Shuiguan Pier. Ships number seventeen and eighteen are our merchant ships. After verifying, you can move the goods into the cargo hold.”

Shen Yiyuan instructed Wu Hui.

Wu Hui’s old face was full of smiles as he nodded and left with the list.

Looking at the composed Shen Yiyuan, Madam He smiled and said, “It seems that my husband is quite confident about this upcoming international trade.”

Shen Yiyuan nodded heavily and said, “I can feel that a great change is about to happen in our Ming Dynasty, and in this upheaval, merchants will become incredibly powerful! Run Niang, this is our opportunity, and I want to handle this matter personally!”

“Personally? Are you going to South Seas?”

Madam He’s face changed, and she grabbed Shen Yiyuan’s arm, saying, “No, I won’t allow you to go!”

Shen Yiyuan looked at Madam He and smiled, “This trade is extraordinary. If I don’t personally oversee it, who will? Manager Wu is fifty-five years old this year. How can I bear to let him suffer on the sea? Manager Sun and Manager Yang are still in Suzhou, Manager Meng is in Wuyuan. Manager Liao is a good choice, but as you know, his son is not even a month old. How can I let him leave the capital?”

“Furthermore, whether the South Seas trade will be successful, whether Ming can establish itself in Srivijaya, and what other island nations have in terms of resources and value—unless I go, who can make the decisions?”

“It’s too dangerous, with the high waves and storms at sea…”

Madam He said worriedly.

Shen Yiyuan patted He Shi’s hand and comforted her, “We are pure merchants, born to travel. You may not know, even the King of Liao is going to South Seas. He is a royal relative and could have enjoyed a life of luxury. If he is not worried, why should you be?”

“The King of Liao is also going?”

Madam He found it hard to believe.

Shen Yiyuan nodded slightly and looked towards the bustling street in the distance, saying seriously, “The thirty-six merchants who attended the banquet last night will undoubtedly send their most capable people to South Seas, and many of them may personally take part.”

King of Liao residence.

Zhu Geng watched Zhu Zhi, who was calmly drinking tea, and advised, “Fifteenth Brother, there’s no need for you to personally go to Nanyang, right? Not to mention the long journey, the round trip might take a year or more.”

Zhu Gui opened his mouth, let out a long sigh, walked up to Zhu Zhi, took the tea cup away, and said, “What are you thinking? Emperor Taizu transported grain to the north by sea in the past, and there were numerous incidents of ships capsizing along the way! As a respected king, how can you risk your life? I cannot agree to this!”

Zhu Zhi patted the tea stains on his clothes, stood up, and solemnly bowed to Zhu Gui and Zhu Geng, saying, “Thirteenth Brother, Eighteenth Brother, going south for trade, in a small sense, is just a business deal. But in a larger context, this matter involves the changes in maritime prohibition policies, the welfare of millions along the coast, and the foreign policies of our Great Ming.”

“In such a major matter, as a king and the son of the founding emperor, how can I stay behind? A man should do something meaningful. I have already decided to personally go to South Seas, acting not only as a businessman facilitating trade with foreign nations but also as an envoy to pacify the Kingdom of Srivijaya.”

Zhu Geng and Zhu Gui looked at Zhu Zhi in surprise.

To serve in the military is to guard the frontier,

To engage in trade is to worry about the well-being of the people!

Is this the determination of the King of Liao?

“Good, truly worthy of being the one chosen by me!”

Zhu Yunwen entered the room, and Zhu Zhi, Zhu Geng, and Zhu Gui quickly knelt down to pay their respects.

“You may rise.”

Zhu Yunwen sat down, gesturing for the three kings to take their seats, and said, “Whether as a king or a subject, one should have the country and the people in heart. The foundation of the state and the well-being of the people are paramount. Only when the people are stable and prosperous can the Ming Dynasty truly move towards prosperity. There are more than a million people along the coastal areas, and if we continue to adhere to the decree prohibiting sea activities, not only will the people resent us, even the founding emperor will not spare us!”

Zhu Zhi and the others were surprised and looked at Zhu Yunwen with confusion.

Zhu Yunwen took out a document from his sleeve and placed it on the table, saying, “In the thirtieth year of Hongwu, Emperor Taizu had already intended to change the policies of maritime prohibition. This is a copy of the letter that the Ministry of Rites wrote to Siam at that time.”

Zhu Gui took the letter and carefully read it. It was written: “At the beginning of our Ming Dynasty, foreign nations from overseas all came to pay tribute… The Srivijaya now harbor different intentions… If the Emperor is angered, he can send a detachment with a hundred thousand soldiers, respectfully carry out divine punishment, and it will be as easy as turning over one’s hand… If they sincerely reflect on their mistakes and act benevolently, they will be treated with the same courtesy as before.”

“Emperor Taizu had long intended to clear obstacles in the South Seas? To reopen international trade and tribute?”

Zhu Zhi and the others were shocked.

Emperor Taizu persisted with the maritime prohibition policy for many years. In his later years, he even realized its shortcomings and had the intention to correct it, restoring it to its original state.

However, it was too late…

A few months after this letter was sent out, Emperor Taizu, Zhu Yuanzhang, passed away.

Perhaps, this was Emperor Taizu’s regret.

With this document from the Taizu era, if Zhu Yunwen wanted to reopen trade and tribute, and restore the Maritime Trade Office, the pressure from the court would be much less.

Previously, courtiers readily accused Zhu Yunwen of going against ancestral traditions. Now, however, Zhu Yunwen has completely inherited the aspirations of Emperor Taizu. The courtiers have nothing to say.

When Zhu Yunwen received this document, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He rushed to the King of Liao’s residence specifically to inform him and others that the maritime prohibition was lifted and trade and tribute were to be resumed. This not only aligned with the prosperity of Ming but also fulfilled the wishes of Emperor Taizu.

The implicit message was:

Lifting the maritime prohibition may go against ancestral traditions, but I’m not to blame for this matter. In the end, it was your father’s idea…

While Zhu Yunwen was conversing with Zhu Zhi and others, heavy footsteps suddenly echoed at the entrance.

Commander of the Security Bureau, Gu Sanshen, hurriedly entered the hall, knelt down on one knee, and raised a sealed letter. He shouted loudly, “Your Majesty, eight hundred mile urgent report from Fengyang Prefecture.”